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Donald Schroder, 82

Donald Dean Schroder, 82, passed away Sunday, March 3, 2013, at Good Samaritan Health Care Center after a long battle with cancer. He was born June 25, 1930, at Ft. Calhoun, to Herman K. and Hulda M. (Schmidt) Schroder. He was the youngest of four children. He grew up in the communities of Ft. Calhoun, Purdum and Broken Bow. He married Iris M. Van Ostrand March 17, 1951, at Kearney. To this union six children were born. He served in the Army from April of 1951 through March of 1953. He completed basic training at Ft. Hood, Texas and then traveled to Korea and Japan. He was honorably discharged in 1953 as a Corporal. He worked most of his life as a hired hand in farming and as a “cow puncher”. He also worked for Custer County road maintenance and for the street department in Broken Bow. He completed his working career at Alliance Tractor in Alliance. He completed his G.E.D. in May of 1992 in Alliance. He enjoyed working with wood and created many miniature chairs, tables, benches, shelves and other decorative items. Donald was baptized Aug. 17, 1930, in Ft. Calhoun and joined the Alliance Christian Church Feb. 11, 1996. He was active in the church serving as deacon and as a board member. He was active in the Golden Age Club, Singing Seniors and also served as board member for R.S.V.P. He enjoyed fishing and telling stories. If you asked him about his life he would say, “I have lived a long and happy life and have really enjoyed myself. Others may have a different view but that doesn’t matter now does it.” He was a great example to all who got to know him in life and in his passing. He is survived by his wife, Iris Schroder of Alliance; his children, Patsy L. (Wayne) Zobel of Alliance, LaVerne D. (Teresa) Schroder of Stapleton, Susan L. Neuman of North Platte, Marshall L. Schroder of Phoenix, Ariz., David A. Schroder of Casper, Wyo., and Deann R. Prelle of Bellevue. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Cheryl Ander-son, Jennifer Beichert, Christina Bolen, Janet Stewart, Todd Schroder, Aaron Schroder, Dane Schroder, Dustin Schroder, Ben Neuman, Destini Schroder, Dillan Schroder, Kari Brown, Seth Schroder, Caleb Prelle, and Chelsea Prelle; 10 great-grandchildren; his sister, Alice (Lyle) Hebb of Colorado; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Harold and infant brother Robert. Graveside memorial services will be Thursday, March 7, 2013, at 11 a.m. at the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery at Alliance with Russell Saito officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Prairie Haven Hospice, 2409 Box Butte Avenue, Alliance, Nebraska, 69301. Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould. com. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.Published in Custer County Chief, March 7, 2013